1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

[Gene M.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

Rich,
You are doing the next best thing to using original parts. Gotta be strong and safe, the MADE IN USA will insure that you have good steel and perform as you would expect. All the right choices!

Those returned originals will make good coffee table conversation pieces. But if your wife is like mine the parts will not be in the family room...........

[Robert B.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

That's good Rich, stay away from; "made in chin" as I don't speak the language. Rbrt

[Royce K.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

John do you still have your 67 coupe 3 speed. I have a 67 3 speed 300hp Marlboro maroon/tan coupe that I converted to a 4 speed. I don't believe there are alot of 3 speeds out there. royce kahanek

[Ara G.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

John do you still have your 67 coupe 3 speed. I have a 67 3 speed 300hp Marlboro maroon/tan coupe that I converted to a 4 speed. I don't believe there are alot of 3 speeds out there. royce kahanek

Royce, I know of (and have seen) a green 67 coupe with black interior and a 3 speed along with a 67 coupe red (I think red interior) 3 speed bowtie car that a good friend (and fellow NCRS member) used to own. Spectacular car. ARA

[Donald O.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

I used to have a calendar from 90 or 91 that featured a 67 427, whit red interior and a 3 speed. Have never found the car in real life anywhere, although I don't get out to Calif any more.

A good friend in the Corps had a 68 SS396 Chevelle coupe in 72, 350hp and a three speed with a 4.10 rear.

These weird ones are out there.

DonO

[John H.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

I used to have a calendar from 90 or 91 that featured a 67 427, whit red interior and a 3 speed. Have never found the car in real life anywhere, although I don't get out to Calif any more.

Must have been some weird conversion; 3-speeds in '67 were only available with the 300hp base engine.

[Donald O.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

Must have been some weird conversion; 3-speeds in '67 were only available with the 300hp base engine.

Or one of the mythical factory built 300hp cars with a big block hood.

But enough digressions.

Lets get back to Mr Mozzetta's joys and events of the 67 BB restoration.

DonO

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

Must have been some weird conversion; 3-speeds in '67 were only available with the 300hp base engine.

Or one of the mythical factory built 300hp cars with a big block hood.

But enough digressions.

Lets get back to Mr Mozzetta's joys and events of the 67 BB restoration.

DonO

That's okay Don. See, you helped me learn yet another tidbit from Mr. Hinckley!

Rich
p.s. John, I heard you mention the temperature up there recently. I saw on the WC that Flint was -25F, air temp, not including wind chill. Yikes!

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

Saving old parts is second nature to me for the nostalgia effect, but space always limits this hoarding.

I had nice long conversation with Gary Ramadei the other day about the differential in this car. We're brainstorming. The present differential gearset is a 4.11.

I've been asked to investigate a change to 3.70's for a change of venue. Robert's not going to drag race this car every day(I don't think), but loves to drive it as a cruiser, as well as the occasional burst while getting on the highway, or just after the toll taker takes his change at the Hooksett NH Toll Booth. (One of my favorite past times when driving my '59 from Nashua to Lake Sunapee on Friday afternoons after work)



Gary educated me more on the things I need to do to plan. I have to open up the unit and take some photos of the internals and record the numbers and condition. If we do a change of gears, we need to acquire a Series 3 case to replace the Series 4 case that's housing the present gearset. Gary mentioned that GM stopped production of the Series 3 cases about a year ago but some may still be in inventory. I need to call my Chevy dealer tomorrow to see if he can locate one. If anyone has any other leads for me that would be a big assist.

If we come up with the right pieces and a plan to do this work I'll be making a crate and sending this differential unit up to Gary for rebuilding. His schedule is quite busy at this time so I'll need to act fast to get it in his queue. He's booked up through March+ at this time.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

Received my back-ordered differential crossmember gussets yesterday, unfortunately the #4 Body mount brackets still BO'd. Rain in the f'cast so there will be no welding today.

Here's the new gusset and thickness measurement versus the original ones on the frame. These new gussets will strengthen that entire rear powertrain section.

New...
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Old...
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[Robert B.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

This may be repetitious, however have they given u a ship date for the BO parts? Glad we changed the trailing arms, I don't like losing wheels! What's going on with motor?

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

The BO'd items(#4 mount brackets) are expected by end of the month. The motor work is in progress. Much to do there.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

Frame repair parts finally arrived recently. I first tackled the Driver Side gusset and sombrero receiver.

First I had to cut and separate the old gusset. Before any cutting, I set the carrier crossmember in place and took measurements in preparation for replacement. I bolted it in place tightly.

I placed marks at 2 locations on the main crossmember and transferred marks to the diff crossmember. I measured the distance between the two. This measurement was 3/4". I also measured the height of the center of the gusset to the top of the main side rail frame, and several other references.

I then cut the old gusset off of the frame using a cutoff wheel and a Sawzall....
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As you can see, it now exposed yet another issue. The main crossmember had a large hole from a rust condition and marginal prior repairs. The area was thin. This section needed to be replaced.
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I decided to cut a large section back to solid steel for proper strength. Here is the cutout section. As seen, the area around the hole was thin. I made the cut and found good steel at my proposed weld joint.
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I fabricated a repair piece from stock frame repair section material of identical gauge.
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All weld edges were beveled to enable maximum weld penetration. I tried to emulate the "sloppy" welds that were "typical".
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I then flattened the joints to verify good penetration at the butt welds and to finish off as a somewhat undetectable repair.
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Now the gusset could be attached to a stronger base material. I set the diff crossmember in place to both gussets and using clamps set the correct position based on my earlier measurements. Then the attachment proceeded, welding the gusset back to a solid frame.
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I set the diff crossmember in place, tightend the 2 attach bolts, and verified initial measurements. Left to right references were checked and finalized within +/- 1/16".

We now have a strong frame section again.
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#4 Body Mount Next.....
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Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

Both #4 Body Mounts were replaced this afternoon.

Paragon had them in stock last week so I bought a pair. Same part for either side. Note they have a plating applied, which I beadblasted away for better weld and paint adhesion.
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First the left side. This one was the worst with much rust at the body mount hole area.
After taking reference measurements at various points, the old bracket was removed with the cutoff wheel and the area prepped.
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The reproduction part is slightly wider at it's mount flanges, however the main area of the support width is identical to originals.
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The new part was clamped to the frame, references checked, then finish welded.
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Same on the right side. Here I also show the reference points for replacement.
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I measured from the side of the bracket left and right references. Also height using a flatbar across the top of the frame to the top of the bracket on each side of the large hole.
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Clamped, spot welded, clamps removed, then finish welded.
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You may recall in earlier photos, this is what they looked like after body removal.
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End caps next. This was before.....
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[Tom K.]

Re: 1967 Body Lift for Chassis & Frame Restoration

Rich, thanks for posting all of the great pictures and information. I am in the process of restoring my 67 roadster. I also had a broken left gusset, which led to a frame off instead of just getting the car road worthy and drivable.I had the frame blasted an they replaced the gusset for me. The crossmember fits well and it seems to be the right height. The owner of the blasting company said that I had one of the best Corvette frames that he had ever seen and all of the steel is solid except for the left rear body mount, which is rusted just like the one that you replaced. I was originally going to try to repair it with a large washer, but now I may be rethinking this. Will you have to adjust the body shims as a result of the replacements? Looking forward to more helpful photos and information. Thanks again.
Tom